(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Chicago City Council has approved a measure modifying the name of iconic Lake Shore Drive to honor the city’s founder.
Aldermen on Friday voted 33-15 to approve a new name: Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive. The first part refers to the Black trader who is considered Chicago's first non-native settler.
Admirers of the early 19th-century figure have long complained he has not gotten his proper due, though some structures and a park are named for him in the city.
Mayor Lightfoot had been among the opponents of the renaming proposal, which initially would have done away with “Lake Shore Drive” altogether.
Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, was among the "no" votes Friday.
“My experience from my constituents is they’d prefer to keep the name Lake Shore Drive, and a recent city-wide survey suggests that a lot of folks feel that way,” he said.
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th, chided some white aldermen for continuing to oppose the renaming, saying they don't get to decide exclusively which Black figures are recognized in Chicago.
The measure approved Friday was seen as a compromise and renames only the portion of Lake Shore Drive that was known as the Outer Drive.
Also Friday, the City Council approved Mayor Lightfoot's nominee to head the Law Department, Celia Meza. The appointment hit a snag earlier in the week, during the council's regular meeting, which resulted in several items being pushed to Friday.
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